Projectile-fuse.



vv. J. HAWKINS.

PROJECTILE Fuse.

AT 0N FILED JUNE ratentd Feb. 20,1917;

nnTTnn sTaTns PATENT cierren.

WILFORD J UDSON HAWKINS, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

PROJECTILE-FUSE.

To all Awhom t may concern.

Be it known that I, lViLroRD JUnsoN HAW- iiiNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement inProjectile-Fuses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in projectile fuses, either of the percussion or combination type, having for its main object the production of a simplified and durable means for positively holding the detonating mechanism in unarmed position until acceleration ceases, 'and then causing it to be released by the centrifugal force developed by the projectile in flight. With this and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists incertain parts, constructions and combinations which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically-set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts, Figure 1 is a central sectional view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a detail view of the plunger .holding split sleeve. i.

In carrying the invention into effect, there is provided a detonating plunger and a -single member adapted for engaging and positively holding the plunger in unarmed position until projectile acceleration ceases and then to be disengaged from said plunger by the centrifugal force developed by the projectile in its flight. In the best constructions, the single member is normally carried by the plunger-and consists of a split sleeve surrounding the plunger and having a beveled edge adapted for engagement with an undercut lange'formed on the plunger to prevent centrifugal force from causing the expansion of the sleeve until after acceleration ceases. In the best constructions also, there is provided a plunger holding sleeve provided with a series of longitudinal groovesto form `the sleeve into connected segments, the weights of which are pre-deteimined in accordance with the rotative velocity of the projectile at the muzzle of a gun in connection with which it is to be used. In the best constructions also, there is provided a projectile fuse having a two-part fuse body, one part carrying an integral Specification of Letters Patent.

Application :filed June 2, 1916. Serial No. 101,280.

gaine. And in the best constructions also, there Vis provided a fuse body comprising two separable parts one of saidvpaits carrying an integral gaine, andv a detonating mechanism housed within the body.

All of the above elements may be varied in construction within wide limits. The de- 'vice selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. The invention therefore is vnot to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.l Furthermore, certain parts of the invention are capable of use independent of other' parts and such independent use is contemplated.

Referring to the drawings, 3 indicates a part of a fuse body which is provided with a thread t by means of which it is screwed into a projectile.v The part 3 also has an integral gaine 5 provided in its interior with communicating chambers 6, 7 and 8 adapted for holding explosives. The gaine is further provided with internal threads 9 and 10 into which suitable plugs may be screwed.

The gaine, as shown, is in stepped form because the particular device selected to illus# trate the invention is especially adapted to lit existing projectiles in which the explosive charges are of a form corresponding with the stepped form of the gaine. It is however to be understood that a parabolic gaine contour (indicated by the broken lines 11) would be preferable, the explosive charges surrounding the gaine being formed in accordance therewith. Threaded at 12 into the forward end of the body part 3 is a sec- 0nd body part or cap 13. This cap is provided with an integral detonator striker 11tand has an internal chamber 15 in which is located a spiral spring 16. The body part 3 is provided with a chamber 17 one end of which is-formed by the rear end of the cap 13. The spring 16 bears against the end of the chamber 15- and against ashoulder 18 formed upon a plunger 19 which is mounted to reciprocate within the chamber 15.

having an undercut forward face 23. Sur` rounding tlie plunger between this ange andthe rear end of the cap 13 is a sleeve 24 which is split at 25 and provided With a series of -internal longitudinali grooves 26. The rear e'nd of the'split sleeve is beveled at 27, the beveled end normally lying`in engagement with the undercut flange 23 of the plunger.

By an inspection of Fig. 1, it Will be noted that the split sleeve is not quite as flange 23 in expanding to plunger lreleasing position.

When the projectile carrying the fuse is fired from a gun, the plunger l19 and split sleeve 24 are set back hard by their inertia, if not already in that position. As the projectile moves down' the rifled bore of the gun, centrifugal force is developed which tends to act upon the split sleeve 21 to cause it to open or expand out into the chamber l17 and clear of thev plunger flange 23. This centrifugal force is less than the acceleratior. force, and therefore until acceleration ceases the interlocked engagement of theV beveled rear end of the split sleeve 24 With the undercut flange 23 of the plunger will prevent the sleeve` from expanding out of" engagement with 'the plunger flange. It

will therefore be readily noted that the det- .v

onating mechanism, of Which the plungeri is a part, is held positively in unarmed po=,V4

When ac` sition untilI acceleration ceases. celeration ceases, the centrifugal force be'- comes greater than the force which untilthen held the beveled end of the sleeve and `With a fuse body, of aLcylindrical plunger the undercut plunger flange in engagement. The sleeve is then opened out or expanded by centrifugal force, climbing up and disengaging itself from the undercut flange and expanding into the chamber 17 clear of the plunger flange. nism is then armed and will comeinto` operation when the projectile strikes an' obstruction, the inertia of the plunger being at that time sufficient to insure the compression of the spring 16 and the engagement of theJ detonator pellet and striker.

The'y revolutions per minute of projectiles at the muzzles of different guns vary.` The The detonator mechal `centrifugal force which may be developedto open orv expand the sleeve 24 varies'v directly With the Weight of the individual segments and inversely as the radius of the sleeve itself. The weights of the segments are therefore pre-determined in accordance with the rotative velocity of the projectile, as developed in a Certain type of gun With a certain charge of propelling explosive. If

other one substituted which is suitable for the different rotative velocity order to maintain the highest efficiency. What is claimed is: Y

1*. In a projectile fusewfthe.i.`

lnbination With a fuse body, of a plimjvithin the body, and a single member in iterlocked engagement with said plunger for holding said plunger in unarmed "position until projectile acceleration ceases. f:

2. In a projectile fuse, the combination with a fuse body, of a plunger within the body, and a single member carried by and in interlocked engagement With said plunger for positively holding'said plunger in unarmed 'position until projectile accelerrv tion ceases.

3. In a projectile fuse, the combinationivith a fuse body, of a spring retained plunger Within the body, and a single member in interlocked engagement With said plunger for positively holding said plungei` in unarmed position until projectile acceleration ceases.

4 In a projectile fuse, thel combination With a fuse body, of a cylindrical spring retainedY plunger Within the body, and a single member carried concentrically by and in interlocked engagement with said plunger for positively holding said plunger in unarmed 'position until projectile` acceleration ceases y Q5.' `In a projectile fuse, the. combination with' a fuse-body, of acylindi-ical pluiiger Within the bodyfand av split sleeve surround- Ving and in interlocked'engagement with said plunger f or positively holding said plunger 5111 uniLIIlfled positionl'untilprojectile acceleration ceases.

6. In a projectilelifuse, the combination having a flange Within the body, and a split sleeve overlying and inlinterlocked engagement with the plunger flange 4for positively holding said plunger .in .unarmed position until projectile acceleration ceases.

lIn a projectile fuse, the combination with a fuse body, of a plunger having an` undercut flange Within the body, and a split sleeve having a beveled end adapted for enga'ging the undercut flange. and vpositively with a fuse body in two parts one part carrying an integral gaine, of a plunger Within the body, and a single member in interlocked engagement with said plunger for positively holding said plunger in unarmed position until projectile acceleration ceases..

with a fuse body in two parts one part carrying an integral-gaine and the other part carrying an integral detonator striker, of a plunger Within the body carrying a denonator pellet, and a single member in interlocked engagement with said plunger for positively holding said plunger in unarmed position until projectile acceleration ceases.

12. In a projectile fuse, the combination with a fuse body comprising'tvvo separable part's onefof said parts carrying an integra-l gaine, of a detonating mechanism housed Within said body and comprising a detonator pellet, a coperating plunger, and a single member in interlocked engagement With said plunger for positively holding said plunger in unarmed position until -projectile acceleration ceases. Y

13. In a projectile fuse, the combination with a fuse body comprising tWo separable parts one of said partscarrying an integral gaine said parts being provided with oppositely disposed aXial bores, of a detonating mechanism housed within said bores and comprising a detonator pellet, a coperating plunger, and a single member in interlocked engagement with said plunger for positively holding said plunger in unarmed position until projectilev acceleration ceases.

14. In a projectile fuse, the combination with a detonating plunger, of a split sleeve surrounding and in interlocked engagement with said plunger and provided With a series of longitudinal grooves to form the sleeve into connected segments the Weights of which are pre-determined in accordance i with the rotative velocity of a projectile at the muzzle of a gun in connection With which it is used.

15. In a projectile fuse, the combination with a detonating plunger, of a split sleeve surrounding and in interlocked engagement with said plunger and provided with a series of internal longitudinal grooves to form the sleeve into connected segments the Weights of which are pre-determined in accordance with the rotative velocity of a projectile at the muzzle of a gun in connection with Which it is used.

.16. In a projectile fuse, a detonating plunger having an undercut flange adapted to support and for engagement With the beveled end of a split locking sleeve.

17. In aprojectile fuse, a split locking sleeve provided with a series of longitudinal grooves to form a sleeve into connected Segments, the Weights of which are pre-determined in accordance with the rotative velocity of a projectile at the muzzle 'of a gun in connection with Which it is used, said sleeve having a beveled end adapted for engagement with the undercut flange of a supporting detonating plunger.

18. In a projectile fuse, a'split plunger locking sleeve provided with a series of longitudinal grooves to form the sleeve into connected segments the Weights of which are pre-determined in accordance with the' rotative velocity of a projectile at the muzzle of a gun in connection with which it is used.

19. In' a projectile fuse, a split plunger locking sleeve provided with a series of internal longitudinal grooves to form the sleeves into connected segments the Weights of which are pre-determined in accordance With the rotative velocity of a projectile at the muzzle of a gun in connection with Which it -is used.

20. In a projectile' fuse, the combination with a fuse body, of a plunger Within the body, and a single nonresilient member in interlocked engagement With said plunger ,for positively holding said plunger inunarmed position until projectile acceleration In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WILFORD J UDSON IDUVKINS.A 

